Meeting Consumer Needs Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Meeting Consumer Needs - Case Study Example The use of certain ingredients that are bad for health have been used by the company such as oils with transfats. Food Safety: McDonalds has reported that it conducts 2000 safety and quality checks on its products. Also 72 safety protocols in a day. The company also claims to be working closely with independent experts on science, health, food and nutrition. But if this is the case then the McDonald's coffee case has proved the organization wrong. In 1992 a woman in New Mexico bought coffee from the drive thru and accidentally spilled it on her thighs and she had to be taken to the hospital because she suffered from third degree burns. She sued the company and it was proved that McDonalds served coffee heated up to 180-190F or 82 -88 C. This can cause third degree burns within 12 seconds and normally restaurants have to serve coffee heated up to 60 C only. Thus, the lady was compensated for the damages and won the case. Plus it was also revealed that McDonalds had received up to 700 complains of burns during that period. Nutrition: McDonald's has been accused of producing highly fattening food products that are bad for health. The company was involved in yet another popular lawsuit known as Mclibel case. There were two activists in Britain who distributed leaflets stating "What's wrong with McDonalds" The company filed a case against them and the men tried to prove their statement but lost the case in the High court. Thus, they challenged the UK libel law in a European court so the court was forced to re-write the legislation. It was proved through the case that McDonalds exploited children through advertisement and also cause suffering to animals. Then Eric Schlosser wrote a book "Fast Food Nation" and mentioned that McDonalds uses political influence to increase profits at the expense of people's health and workers social conditions. Another important event damaged the company's reputation when the Hindu's sued the company for falsely claiming that their fries are vegetarian whereas it was proved they contained beef and animal content. The most important event that created doubts about nutrition in McDonalds food was the movie by Morgan known as "Super size Me." The movie showed having McDonalds for a month and super sizing when asked for thus he gains 11.11kgs in a month. Another important event that further added fuel to fire was when McDonalds claimed to reduce transfat in 2002 but due to some problems the oil was not changed on time and a site www.bantransfat.com had testimonials from people claiming damages for eating the food since they thought transfat had been reduced. All because the company did not create awareness of the fact. A case was filed and the company had to compensate for the damages. Toy safety: McDonalds claims to make the toys in their Happy meals themselves and also that they are tested and not made out of lead-based paint. The customers expect the company to be faithful and give importance to general health of the population by maintaining quality, safety and good nutrition in food. How the organization delivers to these expectations McDonalds has been involved in a number of lawsuits that have damaged its reputation. But whenever the

Strategic Audit for the Body Shop Research Paper

Strategic Audit for the Body Shop - Research Paper Example The company, from the very beginning, tried to present itself as the leader in corporate social responsibility. Throughout its history, the company fought against human right abuses, and abuse of animals and plants. Environment protection was an important part of the agenda of the company. As a result, the company gained a large number of environmental friendly customers in America and Europe, and this helped develop a standard image in Asia and Middle East too. The company always promoted five core values which are as follows. 1. Against animal testing The company claims that it will not purchase any ingredient that is tested on animals for cosmetics purposes. In addition, the company campaigns against cosmetics tests on animals. Instead of testing on animals, the company depends on human volunteer trials like skin patch tests. In 1986, the company joined the ‘Save the Whale Campaign’ along with Greenpeace. In 1990s, the company conducted a number of campaigns against animal testing. 2. Protecting the environment The company, throughout its history, has supported all activities aimed at environmental protection. In 2001, the Body Shop joined Greenpeace in the effort to raise awareness of the global warming. In addition, in its environmental policy, the company promoted the idea, ‘reduce, recycle, and reuse’. The company’s policy of recycling, and encouraging customers to refill their products by reusing bottles won the heart of many environment-friendly customers around the world. 3. Human rights Throughout its history, the company fought for human rights. To illustrate, in 2000, the company started ‘Make your Mark’ campaign with their 3,000,000 customers signed up. The program intends to address human rights issues, especially in neglected areas. Undoubtedly, the Body Shop gets a lot of publicity in the effort to promote human rights. An example of this company’s human rights efforts is the fight for the rights of Ogoni people in Nigeria that won the wrath of Nigerian government. 4. Support Community Trade Through this program, the company collects ingredients and accessories from small producers around the world, especially from underprivileged societies. The company ensures fair prices, and this money goes back to the society to improve their lives’ basic needs like water and education. Presently, the company has trades with more than 42 community trade suppliers in more than 26 nations around the globe. To illustrate, as stated i n The Body Shop International values Report (Living our values, 2009), its palm oil comes from Columbia, coconut oil from Samoa, timber from Russia, Peppermint oil from Norfolk, cocoa butter from Ghana, Soya oil from Brazil, beeswax from Africa, and Footsie Roller from India. However, one has to doubt if the step will help such communities become independent as they tend to be totally dependent on the company for survival. 5. Self-esteem Te Body Shop always advocated the promotion of self-esteem especially in women. According to the company, it is about respecting oneself, looking after body and soul, and being proud of what one is. In 1998, there came a publication named ‘The Body and Self Esteem’ that was meant to raise awareness on the issues of